Pussy Riot Denies Talks to Star in ‘Spring Breakers’ Sequel

After a confusing day of assertions, reports, updates and unofficial denials from parties close to Nadya Tolokonnikova and Masha Alekhina, members of the Russian social activism and arts group, Pussy Riot, the young human rights heroines have definitively dashed any talk of their playing any role in the upcoming film “Spring Breakers: The Second Coming.”

After Variety first reported the efforts of the film’s producers to connect with Pussy Riot for discussions, insiders close to the duo quickly contacted Variety and insisted that the meeting was not taking place, but also noted “if Pussy Riot should decide to come to Cannes…we will be happy to let you know.”

Variety then sought official clarification of the confusing situation and multiple attempts to reach either of the women or an official contact of the unorthodox music artists, who served two years in prison in Russia for their anti-Putin administration protests, finally bore fruit this evening.

Inge Colsen of Pussy Riot’s public relations firm, Girlie Action, issued what she termed “the official statement” on the duo’s behalf. It is both short and not very sweet for the “Breakers” filmmakers who were hoping to initiate a dialogue with them about the project when it appeared possible that the two women might be attending Cannes this week. The statement reads: “This news is ridiculous. It’s not true we’re in talks with ‘Spring Breakers’ producers and we have no plans to do that.”

So far there’s no word about this latest development from either the Pussy Riot’s chief critic, Vladimir Putin, or James Franco, whose anti “Breakers” sequel screed on Instagram earlier this week started fanning the publicity winds on the film across the Croissette in Cannes where Wild Bunch is actively promoting the film.